Page:Wonder Tales from Tibet.djvu/182

148 relief and freedom for the ape. And now he felt poor indeed, having nothing left in the world save one handsome bit of cloth.

"Never mind," said he to himself reassuringly, "even with this, if I bargain shrewdly, I may trade and make my fortune. At any rate, the look of gratitude that poor ape gave me was worth much more than a paltry piece of merchandise." So he went on with a light step and a merry heart, but, to his dismay, he soon heard again a cry of pain and saw yet another group of boys gathered around a young bear and cruelly abusing it.

"Alas!" thought Shrikantha. "This time I must harden my heart and pass by, for well I know words will do no good, and I cannot give away my last possession!" He quickened his step and tried to think of something else as he hurried by, but at that moment the poor little bear cried out so piteously that he could not endure it. Turning about, he hastened to where the